Apple announced the ARKit, a new platform that would allow developers to create AR apps for the iOS 11 at their WWDC 2017 keynote. There is little doubt in anyone’s mind that something revolutionary on the way on this particular iOS 11 feature, although the actual launch of these apps will not happen until a few weeks later. However, Apple has previewed what is coming to the table at a private press meet recently, and what was shown has left the world impressed.

iOS 11 ARKit

This iOS 11 ARKit meet was attended by the who’s who of developers, including Climax Studios, Touch Press, The Food Network, and Ikea. It has been made evident in the press meet that Apple’s focus is on functionality rather than treating the technology as a novelty and keeping it relegated only for entertainment purposes, as has been the norm so far.

By layering virtual images on to real life ones using the iPhone’s camera, the slew of new ARKit apps do everything from telling you how furniture will look in a certain corner in a room, to games that integrate virtual puzzles in the everyday environment. The first one was demonstrated by home accessories giant Ikea, whose new app is called Ikea Place. It measures the specs of your room through the camera of a device running iOS 11 and places virtual furniture that can be approached to get a more realistic sense of size.

ARKit’s advanced technology makes AR look much better than ever before, and the best part is that not much is being compromised on the compatibility front. Any Apple device with an A9 processor will be able to use these apps, meaning owners of the iPad Pro or iPhone 6s and onwards are being counted in for the purpose. However, the later models will probably offer a more polished run, including the upcoming iPhone 8.

Even before Apple had announced the iOS 11, leading market analysts had cemented their faith in the company’s interests in Augmented Reality. Apple CEO Tim Cook had earlier expressed his favor for AR as opposed to VR, which, he was of the opinion, was much more open and inclusive of the environments. In Cook’s vision, AR could actually be put to great functionality, unlike its gear-oriented counterpart.

We will find out more about the platform and all its new apps on the upcoming iOS 11 release date, and more about how it works on the highly anticipated iPhone 8 when the company reveals it along with two other iPhone variants. Stay with us for more news on the iOS 11’s AR and more.